The Washington critic., 1887-01-18
JESSIE'S TRUE HERO.

There was dreamy look in Jessic's
bright face as she stood thinking.
Tom Marshall and Will Endcrly were
both rivals for her favor. Both were
brave, handsome, generous young fell
lows. Tom had the most money; VIII
had only his own energy and ambition.
Jessie did not know which one she
liked best.
81 wish did," she said, mus ngly;
~ wish there was some way of proving
them. The man marry must be
hero in the best sense of the word. lie
must be kind, tender and true; above
all, he must be brave. More than any
thing else, despise coward"
A few days later Jessie had chance
to test the courage of both her lovers.
About five miles from Springdale there
was wild beautiful spot known as
Fern Glen, where picnic parties often
resorted; and here Jessie aud her
two suilors, with a merry party. had
gathered
They had enjoyed an abundant din
ner spread upon the fresh green grass,
and were rambling about In groups
upon the rocky cliffs around the glen,
gathering wild flowers and rare spcci-
mems of beautiful ferns, from which
the glen derived its name, when Jessie S
chauCe came.
She was gathering a splendid fcrn,
which grew very near the edge of n
high, rough cliii when, CHANGING TO
look over the gorge, she spied a
magnificent scarlet flower growing be.
low.
"Oh, how beautiful she cried. Il
never saw one like It, j must and will
have that flower
The rest of the group gathered near
TO look over.
Il don't think you'll get it, Jessie,
said Molly Freeman, coolly. "No one
would be likely to go down there for
the sake of mere flower"
But they will for my sake" cried
Jessie A wilful spirit seemed to take
possession of her, as she thought:
"Now Is the chance to test them"
And then aloud she added: There,
gentlemen, Is u challenge for you
Who is brave enough to go down the
gorge and bring me that flower"
Two or three young men looked over
the cliff and shook their heads. The
risk was too great, they would not dare
It, But Jessie was determined. Turn.
ipgt to Will Enderly, she said:
Come, Mr.. Enderly, you will do my
bidding, | know Get me the scarlet
flower, please?"
VIII looked grave as he answered:
"No, Miss Jessie, | cannot risk my
life for such trillc. Surely, You do
not wish IT."
But do wish IT, cried Jessie. de
cidedly. Nay, 1 command it.
Il cannot obey" was the firm ans
wcr
"Wha,? Are you afraid 10 go DOWN.
asked Jessie, tauntingly, her pretty
checks all atlame.
VIII turned still palcr, but he said
quietly:
"Ycs, for so small Il cause, / am"
WHAT You coward!" And Jessie $
voice rang out loud and clear go
this moment, or will never speak to
you again, win Enderly"
Then, farewell. | will not go, -
was the answer. Aud deadly white,
with folded arms, VIII walked away.
Tom Marshall stepped forward aud
began to throw of his coat.
Miss Jessie, III go down and get
the flower, he said.
"Oh, Jessie, don't let him!' cried
two or three of the girls. 1T is too
dangerous, Don't let him! II would
be cruel"
> Jessie drew herself up proudly.
Don't be alarmed; | am not m
ogress," she said. II do not want the
flower. would not have it now If it
grew at my feet. wanted to find out
who was the brave man and who the
coward. And have found out. Mr..
Marshall, put on your coat. 1t is
enough that you were willing to dare
the danger for my sake.
VIII was not too far off to hear every
word Jessie had spoken. She had
raised her voice on purpose that he
might hear, and she knew her taunts
had slung deeply, as she meant they
should. She walked away on Tom s
arm, and he was proud of his victory
now. Indeed, he had guessed her in
tcntion all the time. He never really
meant TO descend that dangerous cliff.
But he knew Jessie Lincoln, and felt
sure If he offered to go she would for.
bid it, as she did, and he would have
the honOrs of bloodlGss battle.
The little incident was soon forgotten
except by the three concerned. VIII
wandered mOodily around alone, aud
whenever Jessie and Tom passed him
she would not glance at him, much less
speak to him.
The hour for going home had nearly
arrived. Some of the party were al
ready descending the cliffs by the long
path to the glen; others were yet upon
the plateau at the top, when wild
shrek was heard by those below, fol
lowed by cries of "llelp! help! help
They rushed back, and found those
upon the plateau running fruntically
around, or leaning toward the danger
ous edge, as II watching something
below.
"What is III What's the matlcr:
was the eager question. john Free
man has fallen over. lie is caught on
n limb half way down. What shall we
do? Who can save him? lie cant
hold on long, and he'll be killed"
Cautiously holding each other back
they all peeped over the fearful cliil
There indeed hung poor John, caught
upon a Jagged limb, TO which he cluug
midway down the dreadful gorge, Aud
his cries of Help help were conf
ing up fainter and fainter as hi.
strenlth diminished.
But he could not be left there to die
Some one surely would go down, Who
should il be?
Tom Tom Marshall Tom will
90 cried several voices "Wher. Is
Tom 2
But Tom, after one look, drew back,
pale and trembling.
Il couldn't" he said. 80 man
could aud live TO return.
You told Jessie you'd go, cried
Johns cousin, Molle freeman, through
her sobs.
,T lpovv clio Ii1n't u,onn q - sni1